Ketagalan 'Anti-Toxic Oil' Crowd Overflows, Taipei Police Initiate Second Phase of Traffic Control

Taipei police implemented expanded traffic control measures on Saturday as a large crowd for the Kuomintang's (KMT) "I Am Human, I Oppose Toxic Oil" rally spilled over onto surrounding streets. The rally, held on Ketagalan Boulevard, saw a significant turnout, prompting authorities to manage the flow of people and ensure public safety.

The second phase of traffic control involved closing multiple key roads, including sections of Ketagalan Boulevard, Jingfu Gate roundabout, Zhongshan South Road, Changde Street, and Gongyuan Road. The police also extended controls to areas like Renai and Xinyi roads, directing traffic westward.

Authorities deployed a total of 270 police officers to maintain order and provide security for the event, which was scheduled to continue into the evening. Special attention was given to securing important government buildings such as the Presidential Office, official residences, and the Judicial Yuan.

Police are prepared to further expand traffic control and erect safety barriers if deemed necessary, particularly to prevent potential conflicts arising from crowd movement. The KMT rally focused on opposing what it termed "toxic oil," drawing a large number of participants to the heart of Taipei.